It is a busy summer at the Portland Media Center. The Civic IQ initiative is underway and there is a buzz of activity in here daily. Young minds are finding a voice while exploring ways to communicate. They are interviewing city councilors, news editors, touring news rooms and engaging in the civic discourse the initiative set out to explore. We are grateful for our partners in this endeavor. Funded in large part through a Davis Family Foundation grant, Opportunity Alliance was also instrumental in connecting us with a cohort of curious, intelligent and super fun youth leaders. Our education coordinator, Natalie, explains more about this later in the newsletter.
On another note, I wanted to mention an interaction I had recently with a curious community member who came in for a tour. A delightful media professional was curious about what was offered here at Portland Media Center and as I was showing him the Congress Street Studio, the podcasting studio, the new edit suite classroom, the broadcast studio, and the control room we began a discussion about what it is I’m trying to build here. He mentioned how social media has us all so isolated, there’s hardly any community connectivity available in our daily lives. It’s true, we are all on our own. Thus, the Portland Media Center. This is the community hub for those with stories and wanting to share. This is where stories are shared, created, curated & cultivated. Please, bring your ideas and come in and become part of the community. You are welcome here.
Some exciting notes on what’s coming in August.
Luigi Scarcelli and his tireless team are returning to LIVE broadcast for Friday PM. Be sure to tune in to it on Friday, 8.1 at 9pm LIVE on Channel Five.
The Teller’s Garden is in the studio on First Friday for another improv night on 8.1 at 7pm. It’s a hoot of an event and it sells out every month, so come early and tell a story and watch these talented folks perform it.
Connor Ratliff is performing his solo improv act “The Acting Class” on August 7, at 7pm. He’s here in Maine with Guster but the show on August 8 is already sold out. So come in and see him the night before. Tickets available now.
https://portlandmedia.org/airwaves/connor-ratliff-presents-the-acting-class/
Yes & CO are improvising with Joshua N Hsu on August 9. They are sure to fill the room with fun and laughter and tickets are on sale now
https://porttix.com/whats-on/yes-and-co-joshua-n-hsu/
Our workshops are evolving and expanding. If there’s something you’re interested in learning or if you want to be one of our master teachers, please reach out to me directly. nate@portlandmedia.org
Check out the website to see where you can learn more skills in media.
Want to take an editing course? Come on in.
Curious about podcasting? Come and try it out.
Have a story you want to tell? We can help.
So much going on. Come in and enjoy. Be a part of something, make something great.